Residents in Carroll and Haralson counties who have accidents and must rely on medical helicopters will have a faster response time now, thanks to a new business that moved to Carrollton earlier this month.

Denver-based Air Methods Corp., owner and operator of Air Life Georgia and the largest air medical transportation company in the world, opened a new office of operations at the West Georgia Regional Airport in Carrollton.

“We’re extremely excited about our locating in West Georgia,” said Russell McDaniel, Georgia regional business manager. “The welcome we’ve received from the EMS community has been great.”

The demand for the helicopter was high, said Shane Bell, director of operations for West Georgia Ambulance. The equipment has already been used in several accidents, with success, he said.

“We welcome Air Life Georgia to our community,” Bell said. “This is a great resource to have available to help us in serving the citizens of Carroll County. We entrust Air Life with the safety and care of the citizens in Carroll County that require helicopter transport.”

The Air Life Georgia helicopter will allow a critically injured patient to have access to high level of care in Atlanta in as little as 20 to 25 minutes from departure from the scene of an accident in West Georgia.

This rapid transport will meet the recommended “golden hour” to give the victim the best possible chance of survival.

“This location was chosen to allow a better utilization of air medical services to a greater number of citizens in West Georgia,” McDaniel said.

In Haralson County, Ambucare EMS owner Bill Hightower said he looks forward to working with the pilots and emergency responders of Air Life.

“We congratulate Air Life Georgia for placing this valuable service in West Georgia,” Hightower said. “They are a great asset to our community in terms of response time and quality of care. We insist and are confident that west Georgia receives the absolute best treatment available in pre-hospital care. Ambucare has a long history with Air Life, and with their locating in west Georgia, we see a stronger relationship in the future.”

Air Life Georgia helicopters are based in several Georgia counties, including Cobb, Coweta and now Carroll.

“We have enjoyed serving the citizens of west Georgia for years, and now having an air medical helicopter located in the community,” McDaniel said. “There will be no delay in response or care. We look forward to serving the citizens of Carroll, Haralson and surrounding counties for years to come.”